"A pipeline between cities, that's the thing. It could be an area where Norway can use existing expertise to develop advanced technology for the 21st century," Per Espen Stoknes, a professor of science and research in innovation and green growth at the Norwegian Business School (BI) in Oslo, told the Norwegian daily Aftenposten.
According to Stoknes, Hyperloops may revolutionize transportation and become a viable alternative to trains, cars, airplanes and ships. However, it remains difficult to predict how soon it will emerge and how widespread it will become. While tremendous research and development expenditures are still required, Hyperloop technology may break through, owing to the low operation and maintenance costs, which are estimated at 20 percent of those of airlines. Basically, all you need is to pump air out of the tunnel to achieve a near-vacuum and get the capsule moving.
"Nobody could have foreseen a network of airports a hundred years ago. One major advantage is that Hyperloop can go directly from one city center to another. Then both cars and aircraft will be outperformed," Per Espen Stoknes said.
"If there's there anything we can do here in Norway, it's drilling in the mountains. We also have a powerful Norwegian subsea industry that makes water-stable pipes," he said.
A Hyperloop track should not take considerably longer to build than an oil rig, Stoknes ventured. According to his estimations, it could ultimately be in place in some 20 years.
According to Stoknes, Dubai is most likely to become the first place in the world to operate a Hyperloop. Another alternative is a track between San Francisco and Los Angeles. In addition, other initiatives are being taken, including India or Helsinki-Stockholm. According to Stoknes, Norway may make use of the "ripened" technology to start an industry of its own.
Transport and Communications Minister Ketil Solvik-Olsen told Aftenposten that Hyperloop may indeed be an exciting technology, but noted that it remains to be seen whether it works well, given today's challenges. Therefore, the Norwegian government will continue to invest money in airlines, buses and train solutions.
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